Our worries and negativity are usually a lot worse in our minds, our thoughts and in our projections of what might happen. Even though we realize that these fears may never materialize or that worrying about them will not prevent their manifestation, we keep on worrying nonetheless.
I too had such worries going through my mind lately, and let me tell you, it bothered me that I let those thoughts enter my mind. I thought I needed to just rest, but the more I rested, the more I thought about all my projects and all my worries.
So I went tobogganing with my two beautiful girls on the day of New Year’s Eve. The weather was warm and there were only two other families sharing the park with us – it was delightful. We slide down the mountain, we played at the park, we made snow angels and we made a snowman which they named “Frosty” and then jumped on until he was only a memory.
When playing in the snow with my children, making snow angels, I decided to fully take in the experience. I looked at the sky and let in the wonderful feeling of looking out into this wide space. I loved how it reminded me of how small I am compared to what else is out there and how big all possibilities are. As I lay there I listened attentively to my children’s’ voices and laughter, the sound and feel of the snow being whooshed by my arms and legs and the quite sound of nature that surrounded us. At that moment, there were no negative thoughts, I was happy, I felt light... I was purely in the moment.
There it was, what I had forgotten for a couple of weeks; taking in the feel of the moment, thinking only about what needed to be thought of in that moment. I had forgotten how to do this, stress sneaked up on me and I had forgotten my own rule for managing stress; live in the moment and take the time to sit down and write down all thoughts, worries, desires and what can help you get back on track. It is crucial to take the time to do such an exercise, if this is not done, our thoughts pile up in our head and our stress level rises. But since I was so tired, I was trying to force myself to rest when my mind simply could not.
The next day, I took the time to go into my office and I wrote down what was on my mind. I wrote and wrote and the more I put on paper the better and lighter I felt about myself.
I had been trying to ignore my worries, believing that if I just didn’t think about them for a couple of weeks they would stay on hold until I returned from holidays, or maybe they would just solve themselves or maybe, just maybe since they were in my head they would just magically disappear.
The lesson in this story may be different for each one of you, but for me, I was reminded to live in the present that was before me and not to live within the worries and negative thoughts that may reside in my mind. Also, I was reminded that I have control over what my life looks like and that it is never too late to make changes.
My intention for this year is to love as purely and openly as possible and let myself be filled with the highest and purest level of love and positive energy.
Wishing you a 2011 filled with success, health and joy.
Gaby Da Silva
Professional Life and Business Coach
